To improve the efficiency of your washer, run it with cold water.
Photo by Mark Gilliland, Pioneer Utility Resources
Q: Should I upgrade my appliance?
A: Before you hand over your hard-earned money to buy a new appliance, here’s how to choose one that will help you save money over time.
Keep in mind that not all new appliances are high-efficiency, and not all old appliances are inefficient. The less efficient your current appliance, the more you will save with an upgrade. The yellow EnergyGuide label on new appliances shows the yearly energy cost, kilowatt-hour electricity use and Energy Star logo, if certified.
Let’s look at some examples to see how costs and savings stack up.
Refrigerators have seen major efficiency improvements over the years. New refrigerators use up to 73% less energy than 1970s models and about a third less than 20-year-old models.
My mom likes to proudly show off her 1980s refrigerator. Based on the typical energy use of these models, we can estimate that it costs her about $280 a year to operate her old fridge. Now, new Energy Star-certified refrigerators start at $500, with yearly energy costs ranging from $38 to $122. So if Mom buys a new Energy Star-certified refrigerator for $1,000 with a $100 yearly energy cost—saving her $180 per year—it will pay for itself in about 5½ years.
New Energy Star-certified clothes washers and dryers are also more efficient than older models. Use the Energy Star Product Finder at energystar.gov to compare products.
I recently bought a new washing machine when my old front-load machine died. I was considering a top-load machine. But when I compared Energy Star-certified top loaders to front loaders, I changed my mind. Energy Star-certified front loaders use about 50% less energy and water than top-load agitator washers and about 25% less energy and water than top-load impeller washers that don’t have an agitator.
My new washer cost $698. Its estimated yearly energy cost, based on six loads of laundry a week (whew!), is $15. Meanwhile, similar non-Energy Star-certified models cost $48 per year. My washer didn’t cost much more than non-Energy Star models upfront and will help me save over time.
Then I had to decide whether to buy the matching dryer. My dryer was functional but had features I didn’t like—not to mention, its estimated annual energy cost was more than $131.
The new matching Energy Star-certified dryer would cost $698, and my estimated annual energy cost would be $84.98. With a savings of about $46 per year, the dryer would take 15 years for the savings to cover the price. That’s a long time and not worth the cost.
Of course, you can improve your energy efficiency whether you upgrade your washer and dryer or stick with your older models: Wash in cold water, don’t over-dry clothes and clean your lint trap between every load.
Let’s consider one more appliance equation.
Just like the light bulbs in your home, LED televisions are more efficient. Energy Star-certified televisions are 34% more efficient than conventional models. If you have an LED television, swapping to an Energy Star model is more efficient, but it might not make up for the cost of a new TV. Instead, check the efficiency settings on your TV or buy a smart power strip that turns off other connected devices when not in use.
Whatever appliance you are upgrading or replacing, make an informed decision by comparing the cost of operation and shopping for Energy Star models to help lower your electric bill.
Miranda Boutelle writes on energy efficiency topics for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the national trade association representing nearly 900 electric co-ops.